Why do we hunt coyotes? - FARMER SHOT OVER 70 PREDATORS

The rancher hunts predators with a thermal imager.
Why do we hunt coyotes?

Coyotes are now the most numerous livestock predators in western North America, causing most of the mortality of sheep, goats and cattle. For example, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2004 coyotes were responsible for 60.5% of the 224,000 predation-related sheep deaths. The states. , which the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported at 4.66 million and 7.80 million head, respectively, as of July 1, 2005. Because coyote populations are typically many times larger and more widespread than wolf populations, coyotes cause more overall predation. losses. About 90,000 coyotes are routinely shot, poisoned, captured and killed by U.S. government agents each year to protect livestock.

Coyotes usually bite the throat just behind the jaw and below the ear when attacking adult sheep or goats, and death usually results from asphyxiation. Blood loss is often a secondary cause of death. Calves and sheep with thick fleece are killed by attacking the sides or back of the body, causing shock and blood loss. When attacking smaller prey, such as young lambs, the kill occurs by biting through the skull and spine, causing massive tissue and bone damage. Small or young prey can be carried off entirely, leaving only blood as evidence of the kill.

In the absence of coyote harassment practiced by rural people, urban coyotes lose their fear of humans, which is further exacerbated when people intentionally or unintentionally feed coyotes. In such situations, some coyotes begin to behave aggressively toward people, chasing joggers and bicyclists, confronting people walking dogs, and chasing small children. Unabashed coyotes in these areas sometimes attack young children, mostly under the age of 10, although some adults have been bitten.